Motorola

Motorola Moto X Play: Pros and Cons

Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 MSM8939
Adreno 405
2 GB / 16 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
21 MP, 5248 x 3936 px, autofocus

Motorola announced the launch of the Moto X Play smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 MSM8939 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Moto X Play comes with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (21 MP, 5248 x 3936 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Motorola Moto X Play smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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Motorola Moto X Play specifications

BrandMotorola
NameMoto X Play
ModelXT1562
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.96 oz
Dimensions5.83 x 2.95 x 0.43 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Motorola Moto X Play is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 615 MSM8939
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 405

The Motorola Moto X Play comes with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Motorola Moto X Play / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Moto X Play (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera21 MP, 5248 x 3936 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera5 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The Moto X Play comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP, LE
GPSA-GPS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The Moto X Play supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Moto X Play smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Moto X Play has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The Moto X Play has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3630 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3630 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The Moto X Play does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The Moto X Play smartphone has an accelerometer. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Motorola phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
Add Motorola Moto X Play to your comparison

Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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